Patentable/Patents/US-11971249
US-11971249

Optical parallelism system for extended reality metrology

PublishedApril 30, 2024
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

An optical system including an enclosure including a front end and a rear end, a first pair of apertures configured to be disposed on a front plane on the front end of the enclosure and a single optical lens system disposed between the front end and the rear end of the enclosure, wherein the first pair of apertures are configured to allow sets of light rays into the enclosure through the single optical lens system to be cast on an image plane as first and second spots, the image plane being parallel to the front plane, if the first and second spots are concentrically disposed, the sets of light rays are determined to be parallelly disposed with respect to one another, otherwise the sets of light rays are determined to not be parallelly disposed with one another.

Patent Claims
8 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The optical system of claim 1, further comprising a second pair of apertures, wherein said first pair of apertures are disposed along a first axis, said second pair of apertures are disposed along a second axis and said second axis is disposed at a right angle with respect to said first axis.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to an optical system designed to enhance imaging or detection capabilities by incorporating multiple pairs of apertures arranged in orthogonal axes. The system addresses the challenge of improving spatial resolution, contrast, or signal-to-noise ratio in optical measurements by strategically positioning apertures to control light transmission or detection paths. The primary optical system includes a first pair of apertures aligned along a first axis, which may be used to filter or direct light in a specific direction. To further refine optical performance, a second pair of apertures is added, positioned along a second axis that intersects the first axis at a right angle. This orthogonal arrangement allows for multi-dimensional light modulation, enabling more precise control over light propagation or detection patterns. The system can be applied in imaging devices, sensors, or optical instruments where directional light management is critical. The orthogonal aperture configuration may improve resolution by capturing or transmitting light from multiple angles, reducing artifacts, or enhancing depth perception in certain applications. The invention is particularly useful in fields requiring high-precision optical measurements, such as microscopy, astronomy, or advanced imaging systems.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The optical system of claim 1, wherein said single optical lens system comprises two singlets and two doublets and an optical path is configured to be formed in an order of a first of said two singlets, said two doublets and a second of said two singlets.

Plain English Translation

The invention relates to an optical system designed for imaging applications, particularly addressing the need for compact, high-performance optical configurations. The system employs a single optical lens system that includes a specific arrangement of lens elements to achieve desired optical properties. The lens system comprises two singlets and two doublets, where a singlet is a single lens element and a doublet is a pair of lens elements cemented together. The optical path is configured to pass sequentially through a first singlet, followed by the two doublets, and then a second singlet. This arrangement helps correct aberrations and improve image quality while maintaining a compact form factor. The system is likely intended for use in devices requiring precise imaging, such as cameras, microscopes, or other optical instruments, where minimizing size and weight is critical. The combination of singlets and doublets in this specific order optimizes light transmission and reduces distortion, making it suitable for applications demanding high optical performance in a constrained space.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The optical system of claim 1, wherein said image plane is an image plane of an image capture device.

Plain English Translation

The invention relates to an optical system designed to correct chromatic aberration in imaging applications, particularly for image capture devices. Chromatic aberration occurs when different wavelengths of light focus at different points, leading to color fringing and reduced image sharpness. The optical system includes a lens element with a specific refractive index profile that varies along its optical axis. This profile is engineered to compensate for longitudinal chromatic aberration, ensuring that light of different wavelengths converges at a common focal point on the image plane. The image plane is the sensor surface of an image capture device, such as a digital camera or smartphone camera, where the corrected light forms a sharp, color-accurate image. The lens element may be a single component or part of a larger lens assembly, and its design accounts for the dispersion characteristics of the materials used. By optimizing the refractive index distribution, the system minimizes chromatic aberration without requiring additional corrective elements, simplifying the optical design and reducing manufacturing complexity. This approach is particularly useful in compact imaging systems where space constraints limit the use of traditional multi-element correction methods. The invention improves image quality by ensuring consistent focus across the visible spectrum, enhancing both sharpness and color fidelity.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The optical system of claim 4, said image capture device comprises a controller configured to receive an image of said first spot and said second spot, wherein said controller is configured to determine if a total area of said first spot and said second spot is substantially one of a first area of said first spot and a second area of said second spot, the first spot is determined to be concentrically disposed with the second spot, otherwise, the first set of light rays is determined to not be parallelly disposed with respect to the second set of light rays.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to an optical system for determining the alignment of two sets of light rays. The system addresses the challenge of verifying whether two sets of light rays are parallel by analyzing the spatial relationship between their projected spots. The optical system includes an image capture device that captures images of a first spot generated by a first set of light rays and a second spot generated by a second set of light rays. A controller processes these images to determine if the total area of the two spots is substantially equal to the area of either individual spot. If this condition is met, the controller concludes that the first spot is concentrically aligned with the second spot, indicating that the first set of light rays is parallel to the second set. If the condition is not met, the controller determines that the light rays are not parallel. This method provides a precise way to verify optical alignment without requiring complex mechanical adjustments or additional calibration steps. The system is particularly useful in applications where maintaining parallelism between light paths is critical, such as in optical communication, laser alignment, or precision measurement systems.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The optical system of claim 1, at least one of said first set of light rays and said second set of light rays comprises a cross-hair shape such that an angular deviation of said first set of light rays or said second set of light rays is discernible.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to optical systems designed to enhance the visibility of angular deviations in light rays, particularly for applications requiring precise alignment or measurement. The system generates at least two sets of light rays, where at least one of these sets forms a cross-hair shape. The cross-hair pattern allows users to visually detect angular deviations in the light rays, improving accuracy in alignment or targeting tasks. The system may be used in optical instruments such as telescopes, surveying tools, or targeting devices where precise angular adjustments are necessary. The cross-hair shape provides a clear reference for alignment, making it easier to identify and correct deviations. The invention ensures that the light rays maintain their cross-hair configuration, ensuring consistent visibility of angular changes. This design is particularly useful in environments where small angular errors can significantly impact performance, such as in scientific measurements or military applications. The system may include additional components to generate or modify the light rays, ensuring the cross-hair pattern remains stable under varying conditions. The overall goal is to provide a reliable visual indicator for angular deviations, improving precision in optical systems.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The optical system of claim 1, wherein said single optical lens system is configured to be telecentric.

Plain English Translation

The optical system relates to imaging technology, specifically addressing the need for high-precision optical systems that minimize distortion and maintain consistent magnification across the field of view. The system includes a single optical lens system designed to be telecentric, meaning it ensures that the chief rays of the light entering the lens are parallel to the optical axis. This configuration prevents perspective distortion and ensures accurate image scaling, which is critical for applications such as microscopy, machine vision, and high-resolution imaging. The telecentric design also improves depth of field and reduces vignetting, enhancing image quality. The optical system may further include additional components, such as apertures or filters, to optimize light transmission and focus. The telecentric lens system is particularly useful in industrial inspection, medical imaging, and scientific research where precise and distortion-free imaging is essential. The invention provides a compact and efficient solution for achieving telecentric imaging without the complexity of multi-lens systems.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the first set of light rays and the second set of rays are emitted from a device under test having virtual imaging distances or object distances ranging from at least +/−6D to infinity.

Plain English Translation

This optical system is designed for testing devices that produce light rays with varying virtual imaging or object distances, specifically ranging from at least ±6 diopters (D) to infinity. The system is used to evaluate optical performance across different viewing conditions, including near and far distances, ensuring accurate assessment of the device under test (DUT). The DUT emits two sets of light rays, each with distinct characteristics, which are analyzed to determine optical properties such as focus, distortion, and aberrations. The system accommodates a wide range of virtual imaging distances, allowing for comprehensive testing of devices like virtual reality (VR) headsets, augmented reality (AR) displays, or other optical systems that simulate different focal planes. By supporting both positive and negative dioptric power (up to ±6D), the system can assess near-field and far-field performance, ensuring the DUT meets required optical specifications. The design ensures precise measurement of light rays emitted from the DUT, enabling accurate characterization of its optical behavior across a broad range of conditions. This capability is critical for applications where optical performance must be consistent across varying distances, such as in immersive display technologies.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The optical system of claim 1, wherein a size of each of said first pair of apertures is configured to be alterable.

Plain English Translation

The optical system is designed for imaging or light manipulation applications, addressing the need for adjustable optical properties to accommodate varying conditions or requirements. The system includes a first pair of apertures positioned to control light passage through the optical path. A key feature is that the size of each aperture in this pair can be altered, allowing dynamic adjustment of light transmission, resolution, or depth of field. This adjustability enables the system to adapt to different imaging scenarios, such as switching between high-resolution and wide-field imaging modes. The apertures may be mechanically or electronically controlled, and their size changes can be synchronized or independently adjusted. The system may also include additional optical components, such as lenses or filters, to further refine light modulation. By enabling real-time aperture size adjustments, the system enhances versatility and performance in applications like microscopy, photography, or sensor systems.

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

October 30, 2023

Publication Date

April 30, 2024

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